Readings and musings

As a fan of Penn and Teller, when I heard that Penn released a book, I knew I had to read it. I didn't know it would turn out to open my mind to new ways of thinking about religion, science, and magic, and make me laugh so much.

It was especially a treat to hear Penn himself read the book in the audio version.

If you say, "I don't know," it means you don't believe until you see evidence. It doesn't mean you say it will never happen.

Believing in prayer that can change the world is arrogant since you believe you can make G-d change his mind. (I'm curious what Penn says about some studies that purport to have studied prayer's effects.)

I have been reading the Steve Jobs biography by Isaacson and was googling Jobs when I came across your review of the book. I then started to check out your website and found it very interesting and thought provoking.

Your October 17th post about Penn's new book led me to asking you a question about the existence of God.
You state that if given evidence perhaps one would believe in God.
If you don't mind, can you expound on that comment? What kind of evidence would be sufficient to accept the existence of God?
I realize you are probably occupied with many other pursuits as I have seen from browsing your site. I cannot begin to imagine being able to accomplish one tenth of what you have already accomplished in such a short time. I really mean that sincerely.
Yet if you have a moment I would be delighted as to your response.

Best regards,

Harry J. Stamatis

Reply

Max

1/6/2012 08:46:58 am

Hi, Harry. Thanks for your comments and for reading.

That line was from Penn's book, so it'd be better to ask him (twitter.com/pennjillette) if you want to know what he meant.

I think the type of "evidence" he'd find convincing (from what I remember after reading his book) is something hugely impossible and amazing, like seeing someone fly (for real) or die and be reincarnated (and have that be scientifically verified). He writes about the many claims of supernatural phenomena, none of which has passed scientific scrutiny. I think what he's talking about is seeing something "impossible" that does pass that test.